Among the first signs of an allergic reaction are coughing and sneezing, a runny nose and red, itchy eyes. Some experience the sudden appearance of an itchy skin rash or hives and a tingling sensation in the mouth, lips and throat.

More than 12 million Americans have food allergies, and most of those people are aware of their allergies. Millions more have food sensitivities, and most of them are not aware of it. Patrick Holford, co-author of Hidden Food Allergies, says, "I would estimate that one in three people suffers [from a food sensitivity]." For some people who are allergic or sensitive, avoiding the dangerous food is not difficult and they rarely think about it. For others, food allergies and sensitivities define, dominate and dictate their lives.

Signs and Symptoms

Any type of allergic reaction, including food allergies, occur as a result of the immune system over reacting to normally harmless allergens. In the case of food, the allergens are typically milk, eggs, peanuts, shellfish and a few other foods.

Causes of food allergy

Here are some tips if you are preparing "allergen" free food. Egg-Free Diet for those with an over reaction of the immune system in the body, when proteins from the eggs are ingested which causes egg allergy. You need to avoid prepared foods with egg and other egg substitutes if you have allergies with eggs. There are different egg substitutes to use in your cooking recipe such as Tofu and smashed bananas.

In a true food allergy, the immune system erroneously identifies a certain food component as an injurious substance. The immune system of the body triggers certain cells of the body to make E (IgE) immunoglobulin antibodies in order to fight food components or the culprit food (the allergen). The next time that you intake even the tiniest quantity of that food, the immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies easily sense it and alerts your immune system to discharge histamine and various other chemicals into your blood stream.

Treat Your Food

Even worse factor is, in some of the cases when you were able to enjoy a certain food or drink , but in meanwhile you have developed an allergic reaction to it. It surely is very unpleasant to hunger after a certain food and to resent it at the same time because you anticipate the disagreeable effects it will have on you. Food and Drink sensitivity The way you get allergic reaction is when a specific enzymes in the product you are having can not tolerate some chemical or natural substance of it.

Food Allergy Awareness

It's rare that you hear of someone dying from food allergies, but when it happens, it usually reaches national news. Why? Because food is something we eat every day - several times a day - and everyone should be aware of the dangers of food allergies. Some foods such as peanuts contain very strong allergens that are in the food and released into the air as well. That's why someone with severe food allergies must be extremely careful where and how they dine out. Food Allergy Deaths There are approximately 150 deaths related to food allergies in the United States each year. Food allergies are responsible for more deaths than insect bites as well as reactions to medicines.